All around Chicago, restaurants and bars are in a constant cycle of opening and closing. As the lights go out at a kitchen in Andersonville, a new tavern is putting up signs in the South Loop, and it’s all just part of the circle of nightlife. But if you look closely, you’ll see a handful of in-the-works hangouts making a few already hot downtown blocks even hotter. Read on for four good guesses as to where the city’s foodies and scenesters will be flocking in upcoming months.

CLARK BETWEEN ILLINOIS & HUBBARDThis block of River North has been celeb chef Rick Bayless' row for years, but now some other big names have joined the party.

Dragon Ranch Moonshine & BBQ441 N. Clark St.Expect a bit of an Asian accent and a whole lotta smoked meat at this barbecue eatery from the owners of Rockit, Sunda and The Underground. The “moonshine” in the name refers to the hefty selection of white whiskeys, available straight or mixed into signature cocktails.

Coming soon ...Bub City & unnamed tiki bar435 N. Clark St.Grab your cowboy boots and join RJ and Jerrod Melman (Lettuce Entertain You founder Rich Melman’s sons, who also run Paris Club, Hub 51 and RPM Italian, all nearby) at this country western bar, due to open in late September or early October in partnership with the founders of live country music joint Joe’s Bar. A basement bar serving classic tiki cocktails courtesy of Paul McGee, the Whistler’s much-loved former bartender, will likely be one the most talked-about bar openings of the year.

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HUBBARD BETWEEN CLARK AND LASALLEHubbard Street’s east end has long been dense with restaurants and bars lined up side by side, but within the last year and a half, this block on the street’s west side has filled in—and the crowds have followed. A project at 111 W. Hubbard St. is the last puzzle piece to make Hubbard Street’s west end one of the tastiest, booziest blocks in River North.

Holding court ...Hubbard Inn110 W. Hubbard St.On a warm day, cocktailers nearly spill out the open windows of this two-level European-inspired tavern, which is decorated to the hilt with globe lights, ornately patterned wallpaper and tchotchkes supposedly inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s world travels.

Epic112 W. Hubbard StMulti-level hangout’s dining room is in between a sophisticated ground-floor bar and a breezy rooftop.

Mercer 113113 W. Hubbard St.With a hefty seafood-centric menu, this spot may look primed for dinner, but thanks to a DJ booth in the back, the vibe’s more clubby than chef-focused, with a seafood-centric menu.

Red Violet121 W. Hubbard St.This contemporary Chinese restaurant and bar is set to reopen with a new menu later this week.

In the works ...Unnamed bar/restaurant111 W. Hubbard St.Owners (and brothers) Nader, Fadi and Rafid Hindo of Hubbard Partners along with operating partner Jason Freiman (Bangers & Lace, The Anthem, Lumen) have started construction on a bar/restaurant to open in early 2013. Details are under wraps, but Nader said both food and drinks will be central. In other words, “It’s not going to be olives and popcorn,” Nader said.

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RANDOLPH BETWEEN PEORIA & GREENRandolph Street has upheld its Restaurant Row nickname for years, but this particular block has doubled in foodie appeal with the recent openings of Nellcote and G.E.B. from “MasterChef” judge Graham Elliot. With a swanky champagne bar debuting soon, it’s about to see even more action.

G.E.B.841 W. Randolph St.With a patio facing the same building-enclosed courtyard as opening-soon RM (see below), chef Graham Elliot has called the location of his newest restaurant “one of the coolest blocks in the whole city.” The man may be a little biased, but truthfully there isn’t anything like it elsewhere in Chicago.

Coming soon ...RM Champagne Salon116 N. Green St.Promise of cheese, chocolate, champagne and a cobblestone alley entrance have plenty of oenophiles ready to pop the cork when this lounge opens in late July. Jason Wagner serves as sommelier while Nate Meads (formerly of Fritz Pastry) tackles the sweets. The entrance is technically around the corner on Green Street, but we think that’s close enough.

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FULTON MARKET BETWEEN MORGAN & SANGAMONWith chefs Grant Achatz and Homaro Cantu each running two restaurants each on the south side of the street, there’s a lot of star power on this single Fulton Market block. A long-awaited Latin-inspired restaurant from a long-time local chef moving in across the street only adds to the appeal.

Holding court ...Moto945 W. Fulton MarketOn a tree branch, rolled up like a cigar or frozen on an anti-griddle—you never know in what form each course might arrive at Cantu’s first restaurant.

Next953 W. Fulton MarketLast year, it was Paris. Now, it’s Sicily. And later this year, it’ll be Kyoto. More than a year after opening, tables at Grant Achatz’s globe-hopping (and sometimes time-traveling), tickets-only restaurant are still highly coveted.

The Aviary955 W. Fulton MarketLike the liquid version of Achatz’sAlinea. Avant-garde cocktails arrive in wow-worthy custom glassware and are never as simple as the menu descriptions might lead you to believe.

Coming soon ...La Sirena Clandestina954 W. Fulton MarketJohn Manion’s name may not be as recognizable as his celeb chef neighbors across the street, but after a great run at Latin-inspired Mas and hopping around to other restaurants in recent years, chef John Manion poised for a standout project at his own restaurant, slated for an early August opening. He calls his style of contemporary cuisine “Latin local,” influenced by his time spent in Brazil and Argentina as well as nearly 20 years cooking in Chicago. But don’t mistake it for a traditional Southern American restaurant. “Anybody’s Brazilian grandmother that comes in and eats at my restaurant will be befuddled, bewildered and pissed off,” he said.